September 15
What do students need to know and be able to do with narratives?
Why does narrative matter?
Kittle, p. 102-129

1. Writing our way in ...
Drawing a map of a neighborhood you have lived in...

2. Whip around for Genre Challenge - what are you proposing to pursue?
For Thursday...
  • Find two samples of the kind of writing you want to try and bring them in
  • Find two articles from teachers who are teaching this genre and bring them in

3. . Save the last word for me (from Doug Buehl) ...
  • In Kittle's chapter, find three statements you agree with, disagree with, or want to say something about
  • Write each statement on front of note card (or half sheet of paper)
  • On the back of each card, write the comment you would like to share with your group about each statement

When you meet in your group:
  • Select a member of your group to go first
  • This person reads the statement from the front of one of his or her cards, but is not allowed to make any other comment.
  • Every other member of the group talks about the statement and makes comments
  • When everyone else is done talking, then the person who wrote the card can make comments
  • Go on to a second member of the group and repeat the process until all the cards are shared.

4. Inquiry Square for Kittle's version of narrative
  1. What is the purpose for writing narratives?
  2. How does she try to help students to "get the stuff" of narratives?
  3. How does she try to help students put the "stuff" into the form of narrative?
  4. How does she try to help students articulate the meaning of their narratives?
  5. How does she help students to name the structure of narrative and to understand the connection between the structure and the meaning of their narrative?

For next time...
  • Read Wood in “Neglected R” pp. 119-126
  • Find two samples of the kind of writing you want to try and bring them in
  • Find two articles from teachers who are teaching this genre and bring them in


September 17
Goal today: beginning our understanding of our genres we have challenged ourselves to write

1. Writing our way in ... Harris Burdick photos

2. Genre Challenge:
Returning Proposals and whip around for what you're proposing to pursue
Looking at our samples: Going through the Bawarshi protocol

Looking at the teaching articles: What do we notice the kinds of things teachers teach about this genre? What do we notice about how they teach it? What's the progression of their lessons? etc.

3. Talking about Wood's chapter from Neglected "R"

For next time:
Read Kent in “Matthew’s Portfolio” in Neglected R, pp. 47-63
Read Newkirk and Kent in Neglected R, pp. 64-72

Guiding questions for when you read:
• What is assessment?
• What does Kent notice and look for in Matthew’s portfolio?
• How does the way a teacher read affect the way s/he assesses and provides feedback?